Fatigue as a predictor of postpartum depression.

BACKGROUND

The postpartum is a time when women commonly report increased fatigue that may contribute to depression. Studies have not examined fatigue alone as a predictor of postpartum depression.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether and when fatigue in the early postpartum is predictive of postpartum depression.

DESIGN

Correlational, longitudinal study.

SETTING

Two hospitals and participants' homes in central Pennsylvania.

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sample of 38 healthy women recruited from hospital maternity units within 24 hours after an uncomplicated birth.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Fatigue was measured using the Modified Fatigue Symptom Checklist (MFSC) on Days 0, 7, 14, and 28 after childbirth. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Symptomatology Scale (CES-D) on Day 28.

RESULTS

After adjustments for multiple comparisons, a significant correlation was obtained between fatigue as measured by the MFSC and postpartum depression on Day 7 (r = .46; p < .05), Day 14 (r = .57), and Day 28 (r = .70). Fatigue on Day 0 was correlated with fatigue on Day 7 (r = .45), Day 14 (r= .58), and Day 28 (r = .34).

CONCLUSIONS

Fatigue as early as 7 days postpartum is predictive of depression at Day 28 postpartum.